Best poker sites in the usa | online poker us sites 2023

Intrigued by online poker USA sites, but not sure where to start? This guide introduces you to the best online poker available in the United States today. To play at these sites, you just need to live in a state or city where online gaming is regulated for residents' enjoyment.

If that sounds confusing, don’t worry. We explain how legal US poker online works below. If you know it all already, feel free to jump straight to our review of top-rated sites if playing poker online in the USA.

Top 6 Poker Sites in the USA

18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply

How to Choose the Right US Online Poker Room?

Are you looking for an answer to what is the best poker site in the USA? Well, we can only provide one answer since there is only one best online poker room in the country - and that depends on the player in question. When picking your next favorite card room, always think about your own preferences, playing styles, bankroll limitations, and other factors.

Some players want a wide variety of games, while others are more interested in juicy player pools. Some need a wide range of stakes, while others simply want to play for free. The best online poker sites in the USA should be able to offer most of these options, but it won’t be the same with every card room. It’s up to you to decide which things matter the most when looking for the right .

Best Slots to Win On | Play Top Real Money Slot Games

Traffic is important if you want healthy tables at all limits and variations. You should also look into the tournament schedule if you like MTTs. On the other hand, if cash games are your cup of tea, traffic during certain hours might not be such a big deal. Having a good welcome bonus helps, especially if you are just starting out with online poker USA.

Some rooms are known for being soft, while others have a mix of pro players and recreational users. Both can be fun in their own way, so it really comes down to preference. Finally, make sure that the online poker site in the USA is secure, trustworthy, and licensed. Check our reviews for more details before making up your mind.

Best Online Poker Sites in the USA

There are several US poker rooms that stand out from the competition. We will go over each one in detail below and share some insights about their traffic, game selection, promotions, mobile apps, payment methods, security, and other key aspects.

is definitely among the top poker rooms in America. For starters, it is one of the few that accepts players from all states where online gaming is legal. Most rivals are limited to just a few regulated jurisdictions.

Essential Poker Tips For Beginners - Learn How To Play

Moreover, this operator offers exceptional bonuses and promotions, including freerolls, leaderboard races, and series with big guarantees. There are plenty of Cash Games, MTTs, and Sit & Gos, with Hold’em and Omaha covered in depth. The mobile app runs smoothly on iOS and Android, and the overall experience is very professional.

This isn’t a licensed WSOP edition, but more of a spin-off. However, you can absolutely say that this is one of the top poker sites in the USA today.

The Global Poker platform is actually a sweeps model, which operates with its own coins and cards. Effectively, you buy gold coins and use them to enter tournaments and cash games. If you win more gold coins, you can redeem them for ‘sweeps’ and withdraw the US dollars.

In short, this is a legal loophole that allows Global Poker to operate in most states, including those where real-money online poker is banned. Surprisingly, many American players prefer it over traditional rooms. The community is strong and vibrant, the games are easy, and everyone has a chance to walk away with some money.

Another reason behind Global Poker’s success is the lack of bot scourges and negative impact from pros. It is worth mentioning that this poker room in the USA doesn’t run forever, and it may be withdrawn in the future. So, you may want to give it a try and see what the fuss is about.

is arguably the biggest poker site in Europe and it is now available in New Jersey. Unfortunately, partypoker NJ is limited to customers inside this state, but it is definitely worth signing up if you live or visit there. This poker room in the USA has lots of twists and turns, plus games running around the clock.

You can play cash games, MTTs, and private clubs, as well as special Sit & Gos and wind falls. Partypoker NJ is also one of the few poker sites in the USA with live dealer casino games and online casinos. In short, there is something different to try every day.

has been around for almost two decades and it is currently available in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. What makes this poker room special is the fact that it links all these state-based platforms together and transfers players from one to another for bigger pools. It is essentially the only network with state-to-state liquidity sharing.

brand new casinos 2024

For example, a high-stakes pro in New Jersey can play against a celebrity in Nevada and a casual player in Delaware. Other rooms in the USA can merge accounts from the same state, but none can do state-to-state like . Moreover, this is a proper with all the bells and whistles. There are tons of games and features here, plus solid promotions and bonuses.

We also have to mention , BetMGM, BetAmerica, and – eight more poker sites in the USA developed by Rush Street Interactive. These rooms are state-limited too, but they are still growing and improving. All these operators will be mentioned throughout this guide, along with other notable mentions like 's PlayWPT, US GPI, SuperStack, the Heartland Poker Tour, the Mid-States Poker Tour, and Legends 600.

Traffic on US Poker Sites

Before getting into specific recommendations, let’s discuss the elephant in the room: traffic. Unlike the best international poker sites, which handle hundreds of thousands of players, most US poker rooms have much smaller communities.

This is partly because online poker is heavily regulated in the United States and available in only a handful of states. Even if you live in one of these markets, you can only play against locals.

Fortunately, some poker sites in the USA share player pools, which eases the burden and delivers better games at more hours of the day. At peak times, the average traffic on US poker sites is around 300 at low stakes and up to 4,500 at high stakes, according to .

One thing to keep in mind is that most online poker rooms in the US focus on Texas Hold’em. If you are into this variation, then you will find plenty of games at all levels. Omaha is also available, but the traffic for this game can be thin at certain times of the day. Stud, drawing games, and exotic variations are rarely featured.

Peak Hours & Time Zones

Most online poker rooms in the US follow Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is applicable in states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Michigan. During daylight saving time (DST), these rooms observe EDT. If you live in California, Arizona, Hawaii, or Alaska, which observe Pacific Standard Time (PST)/PDT, the appropriate poker sites for you would be WSOP/CA and Honor Society/Ignition Casino (if available in your area). It’s important to check the registered address of each online poker operator to determine the timezone they follow.

US Poker Laws and Regulations

The US government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) back in 2006, which restricts domestic poker sites from accepting payments from banks within the US. As a result, many offshore poker sites pulled out of the US market, except for a few states where online poker was explicitly legal.

According to the Wire Act and the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), it used to be illegal even to play online poker across state lines. That changed on June 12, 2017, after the Justice Department issued a memo that repealed the outdated aspects of PASPA and opened up new opportunities for multi-state poker platforms. Since then, four states have authorized licensing across their borders, namely Nevada, New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware. Pennsylvania is also working towards interstate liberalization.

DraftKings Casino Games to Play in Virginia

Each of these states has its own gaming regulations, but they all require poker sites to obtain a license from their local control boards and pay taxes on the revenue generated from players within their boundaries. Licensed sites must verify the identity and location of all participants to prevent underage gambling and ensure that nobody is playing outside the state where they are legally allowed to wager. Here is an overview of online poker legality and regulation per state:

Legal States for Online Poker

(November 2013) – first US state to regulate both online poker and casino games. WSOP/NV runs local versions of their famous tournament series, while also linking players with WSOP/NJ and WSOP/DE for larger pools. Açaña Joins LSIP (Liquidity Sharing Limit is 1%).
(Feb. 2014)** – the dictionary definition of the Garden State includes the word ‘gambling’, so it was never explored by PASPA. Governor Chris Christie vetoed the committee’s veto of the bill, so the game was won., Borgata Entertainment managed this poker site alone until 888poker took over in 2019., party poker announced their intention to launch in NJ in 2016, but only went live in 2019. It is linked with WSOP sites for a pooling of resources. Delaware Lottery manages all three skins: 888poker, WSOP/DE, Bally’s.

**(Nov. 2013)** – the DGE director tested the waters with Zynga Poker before scoring a goal with Borgata Gaming. Although the Golden Nugget had higher bids, the regulatory body opted for a company with proven experience in regulated markets. 888 also had David Rebutato, the mind behind WSOP online in ,and the European giant behind it., partnered with the Trump Plaza (later bought by Tropicana), but the lawmakers objected and they partnered with the Borgata instead.

****(Nov. 2013)**** – first state to go beyond just poker and also allow online casino games. However, no operator wanted to invest $300k in obtaining a license and going live without exit fees or liquidity sharing if other states were to pass similar laws. , the DGE gave a deadline extension and partnership offers, which led to a revised law in 2019 that addressed the concerns. , Betfair Casino, BetMonarch, Betamerica, Pala Interactive, and Unladished ran beta tests, but only three remained: 888poker, WSOP, and partypoker. They are now linked together and also share players with WSOP sites in NV and DE.

****(Dec. 2017)** – after seeing the success of neighboring states, this legislative body introduced a bill to modernize their own horse racing industry with mobile betting and online poker. Representatives voted 70-5 with very few amendments before Governor John Bel Edwards signed the bill into law on June 27, 2018. Delta Downs and Fair Grounds Race Course No. 1 partnered with various operators: BetAmerica (Churchill Downs), BetMGM (Roar Digital – Leander Games, Evolution Gaming), Club WGNA (WGN America), CoinPoker (vegan), Cryptocurrency (BitStarz), HorsePlayERS (American Poker Congress), HorsePlayTV, PaddyPower Betfair (FanDuel Sportsbook), Pulsz (VGGC), Racetracks Fabcard.com (Tangiers), Rush Street Interactive (BetRiver), SportsLine USA (StatX), VGW (formerly World Poker Tour), US GPI, SuperStack, ClubGG (The Game Grainers) only does poker tournaments and events for Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway & Dover Downs.

steps on how to buy an online casino in 2023

****(January 2020)**** – After Penn National bought Hollywood Casino from Boyd Gaming, they struck deals for : PGHI (Penn National Gaming Interactive), Wheel of Fortune (Eureka) – an independent subsidiary of IGT (International Game Technology) that focuses on online sweepstakes casinos, Global Poker, Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) – the company behind the Kentucky Derby and TwinSpires, Americas Cardroom (Winning Poker Network), BetOnline (Don Best Sports), BetUS, BetUS Poker, Everygame Poker, Juice WRLD (Formerly known as Xxxtentacion), Jumbuck Poker, LionClub Poker, NaturalLight.com, PokerBros USA, Sportsbetting.ag, TruePoker, Wild Casino, WSOP.COM PA, partypoker US, BetAmerica PA, FanDuel PA, Stars Casino, and Unibet PA. Only WSOP.COM PA is licensed for online poker so far, but the others are expected to follow soon.
****(April 2021)**** – The House Bill 490 was approved with mobile sports betting, online lottery, fantasy sports, and video gaming terminets (VGTs) at bars and taverns. Governor Jim Justice signed the bill, allowing companies like to prepare: BetMGM MI, BetAmerica MI, DraftKings MI, FanDuel MI, Aristocrat, Entain, Kambi, Roar Digital, William Hill US, Barstool Sportsbook, WynnBET, and others. Also launched: WSOP MI, PokerStars MI, partypoker US, BetOnline, MyBookie, XBet, Bovada, Bovada Poker, Juice WRLD (Formerly known as Xxxtentacion), Jumbuck Poker, LionClub Poker, NaturalLight.com, PokerBros MI, Sportsbetting.ag, BetUS, BetUS Poker, Everygame Poker, and Wild Casino.

****(January 2021)**** – The Lawful Sports Pool and Truth in Labeling Act permits advanced sports betting and online lottery, plus poker. The latter is yet to materialize, despite the fact that Gov. Tim Walz signed the Gambling Control Act in late 2022. Several companies have secured poker licenses: BetMGM MN, BetAmerica MN, BetUS, Bovada, Bovada Poker, DraftKings MN, FanDuel MN, Juice WRLD (Formerly known as Xxxtentacion), Jumbuck Poker, LionClub Poker, NaturalLight.com, PokerBros MN, Sportsbetting.ag, Wild Casino, WynnBET, and others.
****(October 2021)**** – With the passing of the Safe, Accountable, Fair, and Efficient (SAFE) Transportation Equity Act, Governor Phil Scott enabled online sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and lottery subscription services through his approved legislation H.910. The official bill signature took place on May 10, 2022. It allows companies like to launch their products: BetMGM VA, BetAmerica VA, BetUS, Bovada, Bovada Poker, DraftKings VA, FanDuel VA, Juice WRLD (Formerly known as Xxxtentication), Jumbuck Poker, LionClub Poker, NaturalLight.com, PokerBros VA, Sportsbetting.ag, Wild Casino, WynnBET, and others.
play luckyland slots online
****(May 2023)**** – Senators Julia Ratti and Daniel Bisspon and Representatives Lisa Brennan Sundstein and Katie Stuart sponsored the Gambling Rights Act, which adds in-person and online sports betting, online daily fantasy sports, and online lottery subscriptions to customer accounts. Governor Pritzker signed SB218 into law on March 24, 2022. Caesars Entertainment Gulf Stream Park, Jazz Casino Joliet, Argosy Casino Alton, Grand Victoria Casino Elgin, and Fairmount Racecourse Collins were granted licenses for : Argosy Casino Poker, BetMGM IL, BetAmerica IL, DraftKings IL, FanDuel IL, Juice WRLD (Formerly known as Xxxtentacion), LionClub Poker, MyBookie, Sportsbetting.ag, WynnBET, and others.

****(December 2022)**** – The West Virginia Lottery Interactive Gaming Rules became active on September 1, 2022, thanks to Governor Jim Justice’s approval on March 30, 2022. The bill was originally introduced in 2019 by Delegate Jason Barrett and Senator Stephen Sine. Delta Corp., DraftKings, FanDuel, Phillip Morris USA (Iqos), Roar Digital (BetMGM, PartyPoker), William Hill US. Only BetMGM WV is currently offering , but the others are likely to follow soon.

****(July 2023)**** – Colorado-based DoubleDown Interactive made social games for Facebook and MySpace before being acquired by IGT in 008 for $180 million. The purchased company evolved into Social Gaming (SG) which, in turn, became SG Interactive. Despite its humble roots, this studio landed a contract to develop an online poker platform for the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s signature on HB 662 made possible, authorizing the MGCB to supervise : BetMGM MI, BetAmerica MI, DraftKings MI, FanDuel MI, Juice WRLD (Formerly known as Xxxtentacion), Jumbuck Poker, LionClub Poker, NaturalLight.com, PokerBros MI, Sportsbetting.ag, WynnBET, BetUS, BetUS Poker, Everygame Poker, and Wild Casino. It remains to be seen which ones become reality and when exactly that will happen.

Latin Casino Games That You Can Play Online in NJ

Restricted States for Online Poker

While the majority of US states have taken steps toward legalizing , some have gone in the opposite direction, either because of internal conflicts or external pressure from neighboring counties. Whatever the case, these restrictions affect millions of potential players and deny tax revenues to the budget.

Although there is no federal law that bans online poker domestically, the Wire Act of 2006 and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 made things difficult for operators and payment processors. Furthermore, the 2011 Opinion on the Wire Act restricted even further the interpretations of the said law. Various organizations and businesses challenged these rules in courts, but they are still largely enforced. Any cross-state communication related to online poker could be considered a violation unless otherwise stated by the justice department. As a precaution, most regulators limit their licenses to in-state players. The list below shows how things stand today:

Alabama – In 2019, Governor Kay Ivey signed the Lottery Modernization Act that allows the Alabama Activities Center (AAC) to offer electronic bingo and lottery tickets. Vic Salvo, the executive director of the Alabama McGovern Center, confirmed that this bill does not include online poker or casino games: “It does not authorize any type of internet gambling.”
Georgia – The Republican-controlled Senate passed the Lottery Amendment in 2018, allowing citizens to decide whether to expand gambling activities via a statewide referendum. However, the House rejected the proposal, mostly due to fears that people would confuse gambling with the lottery. Under current laws set forth in the Georgia Code Title 16, Chapter 12, Section 16-12-2, ‘gambling’ refers to risking money or something of value on a contest of chance or uncertain outcome with a promise of a return, and online platforms fall under this description.
Hawaii – State representatives have received numerous bills regarding poker sites since 2007, but none have made progress due to the Hawaiian Constitution that forbids gambling. Representative Cindy Evans Akuna introduced HR1880 in 2015, which asked the Office of Administration to study the issue and present its findings to the legislature. The results showed overwhelming support for regulated poker sites, but no action followed. According to the Hawaii Revised Statutes § 718-070, ‘gambling’ refers to risking ‘any property’ for a chance to win a prize:
Idaho – The Republican governor Brad Little signed House Bill 314 on March 24, 2022. It authorizes charitable raffles, but specifically excludes online versions: “RAFFLE” includes an opportunity, for consideration relevant to the proposed value of a ticket, to discard tickets into a single receptacle for the selection of tickets by a single person who draws tickets randomly, whether in person or through the use of a mechanical or electronic device, for one or more prizes publicly announced beforehand, provided that the opportunity does not include an element of chance other than the number selected, but does not include opportunities that are conducted wholly online;
Massachusetts – In January 2022, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission adopted comprehensive regulations for online sports betting and iPoker, only to abandon the plan two months later. The five-member body was deadlocked on a 2-2 vote, with chairman Cathy Judd Stepp recusing herself. The Plainfield & Springfield Evening Stars Gaming Co. (ESGC) had applied for an iGaming license, but commissioners Bruce Steenson and Tony Spinella believed that step came too early.
North Carolina – Former Governor Pat McCrory signed the Offensive Gambling Act in July 2016, allowing two tribal casinos to offer Class II electronic games-of-skill. An appeals court ruled in favor of the state, stating that these machines were actually Class III slot machines. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians resumed Class II games in November 2019, but the Richardson Saxapahous Tribal Center in Dunn shuttered its operations. represents games-of-chance and specifically excludes online versions: “GAMBLING” means risking any money, credit, portion of a motor vehicle, or other property, for a chance to win money prizes or property, including paid figures attendance at an event or game whose participant’s performance determines the winner, but does not include games-of-skills;
Maryland – In 2012, Governor Martin O’Malley signed the Video Lottery Terminal Location Selection Act that permitted up to 3 new casinos and 3,000 video lottery terminals (VLTs). Later in the decade, delegates Michael D. McKay, Jay Jalisi, Darren Swain, and Kathy Szeligi Travis tried to introduce bills that turned into dead ends. The latest attempt was HB0887 from 2022, which would have created the Maryland Task Force to Study Online Gaming. A similar measure, SB0281, died in March 2023. As written in Transportation Article § 12-101, ‘gambling’ refers to playing any game for a fee where the prize is determined by chance:
Nebraska – The Nebraska Horseracing and Breeding Act of 1921 permits parimutuel wagers on racetracks, but Representative Matt Dubscher’s attempts to add online components failed in 2017 and 2018. More precisely, Nebraska Revised Statutes section 23-245 defines as “knowingly advance[s] money…to participate in any lottery, sweepstake, policy game, bolita game, bingo, or other game of chance or opportunity”:
South Carolina – The South Carolina Legislature introduced H3453 in February 2016, which would have established the South Carolina Joint Citizen’s Commission to Study Fantasy Sports and Online Gambling. The bill died in the House Committee of Invitation and Ethics, preventing further discussions on the topic. According to the South Carolina Code of Laws § 16-19-40, ‘keenness’ or ‘gaming’ refers to risking anything of value for a chance to win property or money:
Tennessee – In 2019, Governor Bill Lee signed the Fantasy Sports Act of 2019, legalizing and licensing for companies like and BetOnline. Agencies must pay 10% of their revenues to the state budget, which financed the Gatlinburg Wildfire Memorial Fund and problem gambling treatment providers. However, the Republican governor vetoed HB0644/SB0887 in 2022, which would have established the Study Committee on Sports Betting and Gaming Machines. As written in Title 39, Chapter 17, Section 39-17-112, ‘gambling’ refers to risking any money for drawn or written numbers, symbols, or other indicia or evidence:
Utah – Given the Puritan origins of the state and the dominating Mormon Church, it is hard to imagine legal online poker in Utah anytime soon. Representative Norman K. Stephens submitted a resolution in 2007 to exempt fantasy sports from the gambling ban, but nothing came out of it. Utah Code §76-10-1000 defines gambling as ‘risking something of value on the outcome of a game where the outcome is determined by chance’;
Wisconsin – In 2017, Representative Tyler August and Senator Dave Craig introduced AB193/SB144 to establish the Special Council on Gambling, which would have studied the possibilities for sports betting and online poker. The measures died in the Assembly Committee of Urban Affairs and the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, respectively. According to Wis. Stats. § 562.01(1)(fm), ‘gambling’ denotes risking something of value for a chance to win money:
Texas – Like Utah, Texas has a strong Christian heritage and a complex legislation that prohibits most forms of gambling. Representative James White attempted to change that reality with HB667, HB1787, and HB1847 between 2019 and 2021, but none of his bills passed the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Representative Gary Van Dean introduced HB2169 in 2023, seeking to legalize sports betting and donate part of the taxes to firefighters associations, but the measure is still pending. As written in Penal Code CHAPTER 47, SUBCHAPTER 1, GAMBLING, § 47.01, ‘gambling’ refers to risking something of value on the outcome of a game or contest:

Best Casino Games (Plus, the Worst Ones to Play)

Within the restricted states, only Hawaii, Idaho, Idaho (some counties), Montana, Nevada, Washington, and Utah consider online poker as “illegal”. The other areas merely avoid addressing the topic in their statutes and constitutions.

That being said, many of these jurisdictions have legal forms of gambling, such as lotteries, racinos, charitable games, social poker, and Native American casinos. Plus, law enforcement agencies have many more pressing matters than chasing individual poker players. Still, no reputable brand would endanger the reputation and longevity of its business by serving residents from restricted US states.

Top Tips for

Successful Poker Players

Is online poker legal in the US?

Yes, online poker is legal in some US states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, West Virginia, Nevada, and Connecticut. However, there are also restrictions in other states that either prohibit gambling or avoid addressing the topic in their legislation.
Where can I play online poker in the US?

You can play online poker in legal US states at licensed websites, such as partypoker US, WSOP.COM NV, BetMGM PA, PokerStars PA, BetOnline, Bovada, and Global Poker. Before creating an account, remember to check your geolocation and verify your age and identity.
Can I play online poker for free?

Yes, some sites offer free play options or freeroll tournaments where you don’t have to make a deposit or pay buy-ins. Freeplay funds cannot be withdrawn, but you can use real-money funds to cash out any winnings. Alternatively, you can practice cash games and tournaments with the lowest stakes possible.
Do I need special software for online poker in the USA?

Most likely, yes. Reputable brands offer download and instant-play clients for desktop/laptop as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. The software usually includes cash games, tournaments, quick seat, stats, customization, chat, and secure payments.
Can I use Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies for US poker sites?

Many poker sites accept crypto deposits and withdrawals because of their speed and anonymity. Some popular crypto types are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, and USD Coin. However, you should check with the cashier if your chosen method is active and what are the limits, fees, and exchange rates.
What is rake in online poker?

Rake refers to a small percentage that the poker room collects from every pot or pot contribution in cash game and tournament. Its purpose is to generate revenue and pay the operating costs, staff, affiliates, taxes, and rakeback to players. Typical cash game rake is 3% to 5%, while tourneys can have higher fees depending on the format and number of entries.